Question quality

[Deleted User]

I've noticed that the questions asked here are quite often vague, and importantly don't provide enough information for anyone to answer.
There's a 'read me before posting' sticky, which is good, but it could have more in the way of guidelines. Plus new posters are obviously not reading it.

The basic information needed is:

- Relevant code, nicely formatted in a code block (explanation of how to do this?)
- Logcat output, showing exception and stack trace
- Relevant XML files e.g. layout description
- Screenshots if relevant

We could also include a basic tutorial on debugging techniques - how to run the app in debug mode, setting breakpoints, examining variable values.

Use of development tools e.g. Android Studio

I'm willing to put together something, or contribute if you think this would be a good idea?

 

[Thom]

I think it would help. The stickies were last updated over three years ago.

... Thom

 

[Deleted User]

I don't know if this is possible with the forum, but can we make a template for posts, which would guide the poster to include the relevant information? Like a 'code' section, and 'logcat' section?

Otherwise, somehow make the FAQ more clearly visible so that people are more likely to read it?

 

[Thom]

I think a response to their initial entry along the lines of ...

I am not certain what you are asking. Could you please clarify the question? See ...
Read Me Before Posting
... for a description of what is needed.

... Thom

 

[Mikestony]

Hello @LV426 !
I"ve moved your thread to the Suggestion box thread
For those wondering where it came from, it was from Application Development.

If you are willing to put something together, perhaps start a thread about it and add what you would like to it, we could rearrange the stickies in that forum and have your input stuck there too.

Unless someone has a better idea for a template for posts, would creating one, and having someone just copy/paste work?
Any input from helpful members such as yourself is always welcome for sure
Let us know what we can do!

 

[Unforgiven]

@LV426, the staff here are all volunteers, so any help is greatly appreciated. Like Mike's ninja post, we'd surely appreciate any assist you could give and will work with you on rearranging, updating, or sticking anything you put together.

 

[El Presidente]

I don't know if this is possible with the forum, but can we make a template for posts, which would guide the poster to include the relevant information? Like a 'code' section, and 'logcat' section?

Otherwise, somehow make the FAQ more clearly visible so that people are more likely to read it?

When we used VB, you used to be able to have templates for new posts, but I'm not sure it's possible since the move to Xenforo.

Great idea though, if anything it will people help themselves.

 

[Deleted User]

Well I'm just going by the (admittedly short) time I've been here, I always seem to request the same information, which would really help diagnose the problem. I can put together a new 'before you post' message, for sure.

 

[Unforgiven]

Awesome, I think the last one we had was from before the transition from vBulletin to Xenforo. Let us know if you need any assistance. FWIW, you can use plain tags to show how to use code tags.

[plain]
[code]
code line 1
code line 2
...
...
...
code line x
[/code]
[/plain]


[code]
code line 1
code line 2
...
...
...
code line x
[/code]

code line 1
code line 2
...
...
...
code line x

 

[Thom]

I think a replacement of the sticky would be great. I move a lot of misplaced threads into the forum. If I see they don't have (and usually don't) the information I will include something like ...

This thread was moved to the forum where development questions are discussed.
Please clarify your question. See ... Read Me Before Posting ... for a description of what is needed.

... Thom

 

[Mikestony]

Awesome, I think the last one we had was from before the transition from vBulletin to Xenforo. Let us know if you need any assistance. FWIW, you can use plain tags to show how to use code tags.

[plain]
[code]
code line 1
code line 2
...
...
...
code line x
[/code]
[/plain]


[code]
code line 1
code line 2
...
...
...
code line x
[/code]

code line 1
code line 2
...
...
...
code line x

fwiw, a full list of bb codes if needed:
http://androidforums.com/help/bb-codes

 

[Slug]

We need to remember that AF is often the first port of call for inexperienced Android users confronted with a confusing and/or worrying issue. Their questions may be vague simply because they don't know correct terminology or understand stuff that more experienced users take for granted. They want help/advice/reassurance, not instructions on how to post.

Guidelines are good, but let's not go down the road travelled by other forums and reject/ignore posts that don't conform to some arbitrary "standard". Far better to have to request additional info and at least show the OP that we care.

 

[svim]

Making some kind of enforced posting template would make things much easier to troubleshoot a lot of things but at the same time it could scare away those who are already intimidated by their phone/tablets. These are the people who need the help the most.
Coming up with a balanced solution won't be easy but it's a really good sign that there's a discussion about this issue.

 

[El Presidente]

This was moved from the application development forum so relates to questions asked there, not in the rest of the forum.

Whilst a template may scare some regular members off, I don't think it's outwith the scope of developers who spend their days stuck in code to fill out a template/provide some basic info before posting.